Barclays Tax Beater Cash ISA - experiences so far (merged)

MiserlyMartin

I actually think its amazing Barclays have any customers at all they way they operate. I used to bank with them years ago, then I saw the light that was Nationwide. I think the people who do still bank with them don't really know any better, their parents probably banked with Barclays and they've come to expect the dreadful service and long queues on Saturday mornings, as part of everyday banking hassle. I got reminded of this awful service in the branch when I went in to apply for the ISA.

Seperately I've reactivated my dormant current account with Barclays and got onto online banking. I'd say that this is the worst online banking experience I've ever come across. Whenever the system thinks you've made an error it gives an error code, a bit like a primative computer system from the 80's. You can't see proper statements, 'we only store a certain amount of transactions'. Its just very user unfriendly, hard to navigate ... like a nightmare! I set up some BACS payments which have been returned with no explanation as to why. I'm pretty clued up with banking transactions and I've never had any problems before. You can't even phone Barclays in the UK, let alone your local branch.. all these numbers have gone and have been replaced with an 0845 to India!

I really feel sorry for people trapped in Barclays hell who would never even think of switching bank.

verntern

Sounds like early days for me for the Barclays Brow Beater ISA. My cheque and account haven't been processed after only two weeks! Perhaps a crumb of comfort from the Barclays statement on their website - quote:

'Still waiting for your Tax Beater Cash ISA to be opened?
Due to a high demand for our Tax Beater Cash ISA, you may be experiencing some delay receiving confirmation that your account has been opened. We are working very hard to ensure these accounts are opened as quickly as possible and would like to advise customers that accounts will be opened against the appropriate tax year, and interest calculations will be backdated accordingly - so you won´t miss out on a thing.'

I remain almost patient, but, having time on my hands, I am using the 'contact us' facility on their website each day to enquire about progress on opening my account. Less frustrating than wasting time on the Indian call centre and quite theraputic in upping the tempo and critical content a little more each day!

Score so far: Emails sent 4 - Barclays responses 0

ED

harryhound - Thanks for raising a chuckle. Your descriptive writing makes me wonder if you have a novel published?

Barclays are launching a calculator-size device named 'Pinsentry' for online home use (generates unique number to enter online banking page). According to the Business feature on BBC News 24 yesterday, in every slot from 2.45pm till late-evening, this was described in screen-text as :

''Barclays introduce online fraud device''

Better sell those shares pronto, before the Police up the anti!

trinidadone

I just telephoned the barclays helpline (i telephoned the free barclays banking number from saynoto0870.com). I spoke to danial and told him i had submitted my application and cheque at a branch at the end of March 2007 for the isa tax year 2007/08. He told me there has been a delay of about 1-2 weeks. Although I have a bank account with A&L I have put the 3k in a abbey bank account (2.5%), I guess my experiences are no different to anyone else. I dont even have anything in writing to say i opened the account, and like most, the money is still sitting as the cheque has not been drawn - come Barclays!!

Innys

Has ANYONE been able to open one of these accounts for the 07/08 tax year? I mean, have they actually received a sort code and account number yet?

It could be they are working through the 06/07 backlog and will then start on this tax year once they have completed their review. If that is the case, they should have said so - publicly.

While the guy in their TV ad had a "great idea" for this product, unfortunately, the execution has been a complete screw up. He needn't have bothered...

katrose_uk

Thanks jenyking...have amended accordingly.

Haven't had chance to get into branch as yet but think I'm going to tell them to stick their ISA and pay off another £3000 of my mortgage...should save me a couple of quid each month!

MrChips

So Barclays are trying to work through the backlog.....but I've still yet to read or hear of anyone who has had their cheque cashed. Can anyone out there confirm that any progress has been made and they have actually got £3000 sitting in their ISA? No matter how many (thousand) applications they received, I would have thought that after 4 weeks I would have seen my cheque cashed!

If mine isn't cashed after 4 weeks, I dread to think how long those who applied in April will have to wait!

Greentea

I sent my application off on 24 March and my cheque has not been cashed. I was originally told I would not have to supply ID because I was on their system having had a regular saver, but on the 5 April got a call to go down to the bank with ID. I did this, and havent heard anything. I called into the branch earlier this week and was told the interest would be back dated.

jimbo_the_jetset

I was told on Tuesday that the Barclays ISA office would be processing 2007/2008 ISA applications starting Wednesday. It would seem they've been working on 2006/2007 applications to date.

I suggest everyone complains by e-mail via the barclays website. If you only put a nominal sum to open the account (£50 like me), claim you wanted to then top up to your allowed £3000 on the 6th April. And claim more loss of interest that simply the bacdated amount from the original deposit.

bristolleedsfan

jimbo_the_jetset wrote: »

I was told on Tuesday that the Barclays ISA office would be processing 2007/2008 ISA applications starting Wednesday. It would seem they've been working on 2006/2007 applications to date.

I suggest everyone complains by e-mail via the barclays website. If you only put a nominal sum to open the account (£50 like me), claim you wanted to then top up to your allowed £3000 on the 6th April. And claim more loss of interest that simply the bacdated amount from the original deposit.

cheers 4 info i gave them "nominal" 1.00 in march for 2007/08 year i was wanting to move 2999 in at the earliest possible moment following 6th april :mad: